Two months to go and the season finishes again. It's been an eventful campaign for all, both at the top and bottom of the table. Some teams have overachieved, some have underachieved. That's how it really goes in hockey world. Even the NHL teams have seasons where they are brilliant one moment, but absolutely dire the next. So where is the Monteith Bowl, or as some call it, the Elite League title going to head in 2015? Watch and read...
In our infinite wisdom, we analyse all of the top in reverse order and finally make a decision. Here we go:
Cardiff Devils - This is the team that I personally thought would burst their bubble first and before the turn of the year as well. Yet as of today, Friday, Devils are only seven points behind the leaders and are capable of beating anyone on the small confines of the Big Blue Tent. Andrew Lord, in his rookie coaching role, has got to be delighted with his roster and if the majority stay next season then he might achieve more. Ben Bowns has proven his Hull form was not a flash in the pan and continues to excel.
Sheffield Steelers - Up to Christmas time, Steelers were the team that most thought would go on and win the title. However did the return of Jeff Legue change matters? Lines got changed, and results went pear shaped. From 26 December 2014 to; and including; 10 January 2015 Steelers picked up just one point out of a possible ten. That's hardly great form in anyone's books. Yes they played Giants and Panthers, but still? A massive swing is needed to see the hopes rekindle.
Belfast Giants - Last season's champions. Has the Continental Cup and the injury to starting netminder Stephen Murphy combined to be fate against Steve Thornton's men? One can speculate that. Don't get me wrong, Chewbacca (Chubak) isn't a bad netminder but how many times has Murphy in the past saved Giants at one end and they go on and win at the other? Plenty. Giants have blown hot and cold this season, but they could easily have a say in the title race - ruining others hopes.
Nottingham Panthers - Quite not the most flash Panthers side ever assembled by Mr Neilson but one of them that quietly goes about their business every night. Contending with the fact that K-Wall has been out injured for a good period of time in successive season, Mattias Modig has been an excellent replacement. Panthers will wait for any slip and then so to say it, pounce. The consistency for Brandon Benedict will be key to seeing them head towards the finish line.
Braehead Clan - The team to be shot at, so the league standings say, and deservedly worthy of the top slot. Should the league head to the West Coast of Scotland, then you can imagine that there would be one hell of a celebration and I am sure their tremendous fan base would ensure that happens. Ryan Finnerty has a squad that has that winning mentality which he had as a player, and recruited the best men for the job in hand. The amount of regulation wins they have picked is fantastic and could prove vital in the end.
So who is going to succeed? My choice is BRAEHEAD CLAN. Not because they have an easier run compared to others but they have shown the mentality needed to win a title. Clan are not a team of world class superstars, however they all kinda muck in and get the job done. That's good enough for me. The "Purple Army" will be celebrating come the end of March.
So there is my prediction, who's yours? See you next week.
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